The Golden State Warriors may have some interest in Los Angeles Lakers free agent Rui Hachimura this offseason. An outstanding postseason saw Hachimura stepping up and playing some of the best basketball of his career due to the team missing Luka Doncic and only having Austin Reaves for some games. The Lakers hope to keep Hachimura, but his value clearly improved after a great playoff run.
Fadeaway World provided the following logic when naming Hachimura among the top Golden State free agent targets:
“The Warriors could find a practical and realistic target in Rui Hachimura, provided his price does not climb too high. What matters is the shooting, which has proven consistent and represents a genuine leap. He can slide in cleanly next to Stephen Curry, stay in the corner, punish help defense, attack late closeouts, and give the Warriors a bigger, more physical wing body than most of their current options.”
Golden State will have to get creative this summer when looking for affordable names that could realistically improve the team. Every team wants players who can hit three-point shots and defend against opposing wing players. Hachimura could help make the Warriors a more formidable team in one of the areas they clearly lack entering the season.
Lakers Must Pass On Rui Hachimura
The Lakers will have the first chance to keep Hachimura since they’ll know his financial requests for a new contract. A lot of cap space could see them quickly re-signing Hachimura with the other big names of Reaves and LeBron James to secure their best players.
However, General Manager Rob Pelinka could be cheap with Hachimura since the franchise must pay two other stars first. This scenario would help Golden State open the door with a chance to sign Hachimura to become one of their starting forwards to enter next season.
The most that the Warriors can pay Hachimura would be around $15 million per year on a three-year contract. If Hachimura’s value gets any higher, it would likely remove Golden State from having any realistic chance at him. Other teams with cap space, like the Brooklyn Nets or Chicago Bulls, could ruin the market both the Warriors and Lakers.
Why Golden State Would Want Rui Hachimura
The Warriors clearly need some new forwards after the injury to Jimmy Butler this past season. Butler is not expected to return until the middle of next season and Golden State already lacks depth, even when he’s active.
Hachimura would give them a reliable name to trust and take more shots when he’s called upon. However, the unique skill set of Rui also helps him contribute in less obvious ways when all the stars are active on the floor. The Lakers love Hachimura due to his versatility in this manner.
Kristaps Porzingis may be off the table to re-sign and return as the starting center, if the Warriors opt to pay Hachimura more than the Lakers will. Golden State will have to choose between one or the other in free agency if Hachimura becomes a viable name.
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